The Catholic Church has been in the press as of late for Pope Francis' reforms to the establishment and for his condemning of the priests who abused children.

Ever since 2002, the church has been under scrutiny for these cases and no doubt will it be back in the press after the release of Tom McCarthy's new film "Spotlight." The film is a careful observation of the journalists who uncovered the priests who were condemned for the sexual abuse scandals.

Starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci and Brian D'Arcy, the film tells the story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.

At the center of the film is Spotlight, a team who was in charge of investigating different stories over the course of months. The film begins during a shakeup with the Boston Globe. The Globe is going through a change in editors and Marty Baron (Live Schreiber), the new editor is interested in the story with the Catholic Church.

When the spotlight team, led by Walter Robinson (Keaton), is assigned the case, the team begins to investigate each case meticulously and land on one victim, Phil Saviano, who gives them victims and priests. As the film develops the story broadens from one priest to multiple only to show the deficiencies of the press and the corruption of the church and the lawyers involved in the cases and scandal.

McCarthy subtly brings out the disgusting elements through numerous conversations with victims. In one scene when reporter Sasha Pfeiffer (McAdams) is interviewing one victim, the person in question describes the encounter with the priest with scrupulous detail, from being touched to unclothing. Mark Ruffalo's Mike Rezendes also has a powerful scene as he interviews another victim. This moment is gut-wrenching as the victim breaks down with shame.

It is interesting, however, that McCarthy and his co-writer Josh Singer are able to balance the four characters without letting anyone dominate over the others; the emphasizes that power of the collective organization triumphing over just one singular hero. Ruffalo's Rezendes is the most explosive as he becomes entranced in the case and fights to get the information. As he discovers more, he begins to fight with Robinson. At one moment he also reveals how he used to be a catholic and how he stopped doing so.

D'Arcy's Matt Carroll also has a more subtle development as he starts to fear for his children. When he discovers that there is a center nearby to rehabilitate sexually offending priests, he tries to warn others of it and becomes paranoid at the idea of his children getting harassed.

Meanwhile, Sasha (McAdams) is in conflict with her emotions as her grandmother is a devote catholic who she accompanies to mass. At the beginning of the film, she is seen in church and praying. However, as she involves herself deeper in the investigation she can longer face her grandmother and stops attending with her.

Walter Robinson (Michael Keaton) is the only character who McCarthy never shows in his personal life. As a matter of fact, he is never shown in his home. However, he has one of the most powerful moments in the film. At one point he realizes his mistakes from the past and also realizes how even news made many mistakes with the cases, joining the lawyers, church and community at large in helping with the cover up. It is a powerful moment in the film and Keaton emphasizes it with his shear subtle expression of vulnerability.

McCarthy creates a very realistic tone to his film shooting many of the scenes in one shot almost as if the event is being presented in real time. He also chooses to shoot the film in many close ups to emphasize the characters and their emotions. For example the interviews with the victims, McCarthy emphasizes the reporters and the way they perceive what they hearing. It may be simplistic in its storytelling approach but it is very effective and it conveys the point.

Overall, McCarthy's film is a representation of actions of the past and what can be done to fix them. It showcases the faults of journalism, the heroes who live in this country and the corruption that is too often seen and overlooked for the "collective good." While it may focus on a horrible moment for the church, it reminds the viewer that this is one organization of millions, which have done the same or worse.

"Spotlight" is a powerful film that almost feels as if one is living the case out as the movie develops. It is a film that will be talked about long after audiences have left the theater and one that will definitely stir conversation.

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